Culture How to Be a Good Parent

Tips and tricks for how to be a good parent--the best parenting advice available online. Good parenting tips are added here and voted on by experienced parents. Parenting, it goes without saying, is tough. As a parent, you have the responsibility not only for keeping your little ones safe and healthy, but also for showing them the difference between right and wrong, teaching your kids responsibility and supporting their efforts and growing independence. There are many different approaches to parenting--some parents are stern and authoritative while others are more lenient. There are not necessarily "right" and "wrong" ways to be a good parent, but there are a few key pieces of advice that the best parents have picked up and shared with each other throughout the years.

What is a good parent? Generally good parents prepare their children to be happy, engaged members of society. Just how they do this may differ according to personalities, but generally, qualities of a good parent tend to be: generous, loving, encouraging and consistent. Parents should not be their kids best friends! We all want our children to love us and be happy spending time with us, but sometimes rules and boundaries are just as important as giving hugs and kisses. That said, parenting is a journey and it should be fun. Don't be too hard on yourself or your children and enjoy their childhood while it lasts!

Read and vote on these parenting tips and add new bits of parenting advice if you have something to share.

list ordered by

1

1,353 126

Express Love and Affection

2

1,272 114

Be a Good Role Model

3

1,251 84

Teach Them the Difference Between Right and Wrong

4

1,216 101

Listen Actively

5

1,200 97

Treat Your Child With Respect

6

1,149 120

Spend a Lot of Quality Time With Your Kids

7

1,242 56

zxray added Teach Your Children Responsibility

8

1,163 112

Establish and Set Rules

9

1,042 64

zxray added Teach Them to Treat Others As They Would Want to Be Treated

10

1,009 81

Make Yourself Available (Unplug)

11

1,007 55

Be Involved in Your Child's Life

12

977 65

Encourage Your Children's Independence

13

898 88

Praise Your Children

14

954 105

Read to Your Children

15

850 156

Avoid Publicly Humiliating Your Child

16

944 41

Love Your Children

17

873 60

Encourage Your Children to Express Themselves

18

914 54

Be Consistent

19

845 56

zxray added Teach Them the Value/Cost of Things

20

812 82

Encourage Healthy Eating Habits

21

857 55

Set Boundaries

22

783 79

Avoid Favoritism

23

734 57

Adapt Your Parenting to Your Kid's Age and Situation

24

674 83

Avoid Comparing Your Children to Others

25

694 56

Lead by Example

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